Following the government's announcement this week that the use of combustible cladding is to be banned on all new residential buildings above 18 metres, as well as schools, care homes, student accommodation and hospitals, FM Global has warned that this measure alone does not mean buildings are fire risk-free.

Over a year after from the Grenfell Tower fire, the Housing Secretary James Brokenshire's announcement also fails to address fire risk for buildings below the height of 18m which can still use such materials, the insurer warns.

“The government ban on combustible materials is a step in the right direction and demonstrates that the government is taking action to improve the fire safety regime in England," says senior consultant for International Codes and Standards at FM Global, Tom Roche. "However, building owners should not assume a ban on combustible cladding will be enough to protect their buildings.

"This ban does nothing to reduce fire-risk for buildings below the height of 18m which can still use such materials – a grievous oversight when large-scale commercial and residential buildings often fall below this height - nor does it negate the risk of fire damage for high rise buildings. Fire protection systems such as sprinklers are still not mandatory for all high rise buildings in the UK. Even once this ban is in effect, building owners must go above and beyond current regulatory guidance in order to make sure that their buildings are effectively protected from fire risk."

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